RUSTON – Only about a week removed from the end of the 2019 soccer season, Louisiana Tech head coach Kevin Sherry announced on Thursday the signing of five players in the early signing period that will join the team in 2020. 
 
The recruiting class consists of three midfielders – Kalli Matlock (Shreveport, La.), Erin Chung (Carrollton, Texas) and Alma Cedefors (Varnamo, Sweden) – as well as one forward in Maci Geltmeier (Cleburne, Texas) and one defender in Leonie Machauer (Philippsburg, Germany).
 
"Replacing graduating seniors has always been a challenge, but we are confident that this class will go a long way in helping the program maintain its continuing success," said head coach Kevin Sherry.  "We expect further signings at a later date to bring in additional quality student-athletes to supplement these five signings.
 
"Every recruiting class has distinctive needs and wants.  This recruiting class is no different.  The goal of this recruiting class was to find players with speed, power, aggression, high fitness levels and who have a good technical foundation to their play."
 
The lone defender Machauer will become the second Lady Techster from Germany as Magdalena Schwarz played this past season as a freshman.  The 5-foot-2 defender was a member of FC Speyer 1st Young League in the U17 Bundesliga, playing the most minutes of all league players.  She was also a finalist in the national indoor soccer championship.
 
"Leonie is a quick outside back who can play on either side," said Sherry.  "She has a deep passion for the game and this love of the game will hopefully have a positive influence on the squad.  She is the perfect replacement for senior Alexandra LeBlanc on the left side of the defense."
 
Geltmeier is a 5-foot-6 striker at Cleburne High School where she has earned All-District and All-Johnson County honors, having also been a member of FC Dallas. 
 
"Maci is a no-nonsense power striker," said Sherry.  She will provide our attack with some much-needed power and a target to hit from wide areas.  She has the strength and speed to go to goal as well as the strength to hold up play and link with supporting midfielders."
 
After signing two players last year from Sweden, Sherry dipped into the country again this time with the signing of Alma Cedefors.  The 5-foot-6 midfielder played for her district team Smalands FF.
 
"Alma is a strong central midfielder who can also double up as a central defender if needed," said Sherry.  "She is two-footed and can see a pass very quickly.  Her very good technical ability will provide us a perfect replacement for senior Jaelyn Peeples in the midfield."
 
Another midfielder signed is Erin Chung.  A 5-foot-6 standout at Newman Smith High School, she was named First Team All-District, District MVP and was a team captain as a junior.  She has also been named Midfielder of the Year twice and most recently played for Solar ECNL.
 
"Erin is a very talented midfield player who has tremendous balance and coordination with the ball at her feet," said Sherry.  "She has a high level of soccer IQ and does not waste possession of the ball easily.  She has an eye for goal, regularly popping up in the right place at the right time to score."
 
The fifth and final signee is a local product in Kalli Matlock.  The 5-foot-7 midfielder from down the road at Loyola College Prep in Shreveport led her squad to the LHSAA Division IV state championship in 2019.  She was named Division IV Offensive Player of the Year, Division IV State Final MVP. 
 
Matlock also received the 2019 Shreveport Times Player of the Year and was named the 2019 United Soccer Coaches Louisiana High School Player of the Year.
 
"Kalli is a very technical player with a great soccer IQ as well," said Sherry.  "The future is bright for Kalli because she is eager to learn and become the best player she can become.  She is two-footed and always looks to go forward to assist or score which will be a great addition to our midfield."
 
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